The Best Italian Restaurants in Boston

There’s nothing finer than a steaming plate of carbs coming at you from across the room, and Boston's Italian restaurants do not disappoint. It’s kind of like meeting an equally impressive looking person at a party, but with less small talk and a lot more flavor. Look no further -- we’ve rounded up the top Italian restaurants in Boston to enjoy a delicious and decadent meal fit for a modern-day king and queen. Feast on them all, friends. (And by the way, here's another, more specific guide for those craving the best pizza in Boston.)

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Back Bay

The much-anticipated Italian marketplace is finally here
Spanning over 45,000 square feet, Eataly Boston makes dreams come true at every corner. Located in The Prudential Center, this marketplace not only sells authentic and high quality ingredients for an ambitious night-in, but it also houses a slew of tasty restaurants like Terra, a dining room centered around a wood-burning Italian grill. If you’d like to brush up on some skills while sipping wines selected by Eataly’s own sommelier, take a homemade pasta class or learn more about the history of Italian wines. Make sure you get you get your tickets fast -- March classes are almost sold out!

Back Bay and North End

A beloved cash-only North End destination
With the original North End location opening over three decades ago, Giacomo’s has had its fair share of visitors -- and still does. Rain or shine, the line outside of this quintessential (and cash-only) North End dining spot may seem intimidating at first, but it’s a must for Italian food seekers. Take your pick between the ziti, ravioli and fettuccine pasta options made complete with your choice of swordfish, salmon, shrimp, and chicken. If you’re looking to fill up on some chicken marsala or veal Parmigiana, both come with a side of pasta. You’re guaranteed to leave this place with fresh marinara sauce stains.

South End

Intimate neighborhood hotspot with small plates for sharing
Not to be confused with Capo -- the dine-by-day and dance-by-night restaurant and bar in Southie -- Coppa offers a cozy environment with a modern take on Italian dining. Rather than a 10-pound platter brought to your table, Coppa’s plentiful small-plate options are perfect for picking at and passing around. Yet if you’re in the mood for some pasta, there’s no shortage of hearty choices, including the creamy-yet-smoky uni carbonara and cavatelli con polla, a hand-cranked pasta with broccoli and chicken sausage. For lighter fare, try the Sedano di Caesar featuring crunchy shaved celery topped off with toasted breadcrumbs.

Back Bay and North End

Spacious, classically decorated space for fine dining made from local ingredients
Looking for a fine dining experience to transition into a big night out? Open until 1am Monday through Sunday, Lucca’s locally grown ingredients and robust wine list sets you up for a fulfilling night out as a responsible adult. With locations in both Back Bay and North End, you’ll have plenty of city to explore after you indulge in the filet mignon, rigatoni, or ravioli stuffed with savory cheeses, baby kale, and toasted hazelnuts. For the ultimate cross between a local specialty and Italian-inspired dish, try the lobster cavatelli made with fresh Maine lobster.

Beacon Hill

Prepare for a fresh mozzarella bar in The Liberty Hotel
Meaning “escape” in Italian, Scampo is rich in history and even richer in its bold flavors. Located in The Liberty Hotel, formerly Charles Street Jail, Scampo offers its own mozzarella bar, which pairs fresh mozzarella with choices of tomato and basil, prosciutto, beef sirloin, and king crab. Scope out Scampo on Sunday nights for their Supper Special, a three-course meal including salad, chicken Parmigiana, and stuffed jumbo shells, and homemade Neapolitan ice cream.

North End

Homey space with classics served by the Italian grandfather you never had
One step into Dolce Vita and you realize you’re not in a restaurant but in owner Franco Graceffa’s home away from home. Italian for “The Sweet Life,” Dolce Vita is known for its great food and even better service. (The martinis aren’t half bad either: Ask for the strawberry). The Sicilian-born Graceffa greets you at the door and stops by after the meal to make sure nothing was short of satisfying.

North End

Casual environment sticking to its roots and historic culture
Opening its doors over 20 years ago, Trattoria Il Panino is Boston’s original trattoria -- as in, an Italian restaurant serving simple, inexpensive, and classic dishes (traditionally on the streets of Italy). With plenty of space for customers seeking out an affordable and delicious plates of pasta, Trattoria Il Panino also offers a large outdoor eating space for some fresh air and essential North End views. You might even notice some familiar faces plastered on the wall; celebs like Robert De Niro, Jimmy Kimmel, and Mariah Carey have all stopped by for a bite.

North End

The center of European ambiance and favorite Italian fares
Home to an unbeatable chicken parm, Panza has exactly what you’re looking for in a signature Italian meal, and the cuisine isn’t the only authentic offering at this beloved restaurant. The brick and lanterns lining the walls take you back to an Italian era you’ve probably wished you were born in. When in doubt, that chicken parm is always the go-to choice at Panza -- a thin-cut strip of chicken blanketed in mozzarella and sauce bursting with flavor. To really treat yourself, add an order of crispy garlic bread. You deserve it.

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Theater District

Contemporary take on Italian dining with elegant atmosphere
If you’re in the mood for some swank, Teatro’s dimly lit space owned by Boston dining scene star chef Jamie Mammano is where your night is headed. The menu offers a long list of Italian favorites from homemade ravioli to gnocchi, but to make the meal complete, pair with a specialty (did we use the word "swank" already?) cocktail. The bar at Teatro is known for its inventive and seasonal cocktails served up by experienced bartenders -- a step up from the usual vodka cranberry.

North End

A go-to for huge portions of traditional dishes at an affordable price
With plates that overwhelm the table and portions that scream leftovers, you’ll be the talk of the office after reheating La Famiglia Giorgio’s lasagna for three days straight. We’re not kidding. The portions are almost the equivalent to a restaurant food challenge. You won’t get your picture on the wall, but at least one honest family member will be sure to never let you live down devouring an entire dish. La Famiglia Giorgio’s matches its aggressive helpings to reasonable prices all with elements of family-style and old-fashioned dining -- an ideal Sunday activity.

North End

Cozy and welcoming spot for your late-night cravings
In the mood for an entire pie vs. just a slice? Quattro’s brick-oven pizzas and plentiful toppings like sausage, potato, and mushroom make for a great dinner or late-night snack. The restaurant even offers a nutella and strawberry pizza for those sweeter cravings. If your Friday or Saturday turned into an early night, stop by Quattro before midnight for signature pizzas, burgers, calzones, seafood, and much more. You’ll be sure to wake up the next day without any regrets -- just leftovers for the week.

North End

Hole-in-the-wall pizza shop wrangling crowds for its Sicilian slices and arancini
We can’t list the city’s top spots for traditional cuisine without mentioning where to get the best slice of pizza. Open Monday through Saturday starting at 11am, Galleria Umberto welcomes long lines of eager pizza lovers from all over. The James Beard Foundation even named it amongst its 2018 American Classics Awards, honoring regional restaurants cherished by their communities. If you’re looking to try something new without regretting not getting a slice, go for the stuffed risotto arancini, calzone, or potato panzerotti.

South End

Creative culinary experience hidden in quaint Boston neighborhood
Boston’s first Venetian-style bacaro, aka "pit stop," and wine bar, SRV’s relaxed atmosphere and rear patio is a hotspot for trendy groups. With small bites and crafted cocktails created by notable and experienced culinary stars, this South End favorite is where you’ll want to dine all spring and summer long. The restaurant was also named the 2017 Best Italian Restaurant by Boston Magazine for its pasta dishes and extensive dessert list, serving up ricotta cocoa nib and coffee-white chocolate gelato.

North End

Hanover Street’s small restaurant/bar perfect for people watching
While strolling on this signature street, you might notice a tiny window front accompanied by a couple of 20-something year olds and glasses of wine. Scopa is a prime spot for people watching and trying new things -- including braised octopus and short rib. If you have room for dessert, Boston’s best cannolis are just a few feet away over at Mike’s Pastry. Make your move once the line dies down to top off your evening with something sweet.

Back Bay

Sophisticated dining offering authentic wines from Italy
Located right in Copley Square, Sorellina draws in a chic crowd with its unconventional Italian-Mediterranean cuisine and extensive wine list. If you’re up for something a little lavish after work and refuse to change out of your business casual clothes, this is probably the right move. The menu has fancy options like squid ink pasta, branzino, and gnocchi served with potato dumplings and Maine lobster. You may want to unbutton your dress pants to prepare for desserts like tiramisu or bombolini -- a serving of sugar donuts with Nutella gelato and mascarpone crema.

North End

Rustic and romantic vibes permeate this exposed-brick joint
If you’re planning on going all in for the first date (or maybe a comfortable third), show them your excellent taste by suggesting Bacco on the corner of Salem Street. With windows almost touching the ceiling, you get a romantic view looking out into the heart of the North End. Make time for gazing into the menu with long lists of wines and homemade pastas rich in vegetables including the eggplant Parmigiana and butternut squash ravioli. And in case you or your date have a restrictive diet, no need to fret. Bacco offers gluten-free pasta options including the Parmesan risotto and linguini with garlic and oil.

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Jillian Hammell finds her favorite spots in and outside of Boston when the weather calls for non-threatening conditions. Follow her at @jlhamml.

This Is the Pizza Donut of Your Dreams

Forget everything you know about donuts, because one Rhode Island bakery is rewriting the rules of this beloved pastry.

Located in Providence’s Fox Point neighborhood, PVDonuts is famous for crafting brioche-style donuts that are more buttery than sugary, and light and flaky like a croissant. This unique culinary method creates the perfect base for a variety of over-the-top flavors that rotate monthly to keep visitors on their toes about what the capital city’s first speciality donut shop will do next.

The most popular flavor, the pizza donut (yes, pizza. donut.), is PV’s traditional brioche pastry filled with red sauce, topped with fresh mozzarella melted in the oven, covered with even more cheese, and garnished with a pepperoni. An ode to Rhode Island’s official state drink, the coffee milk, another popular menu item is made by covering a donut with a homemade glaze that, according to owner and lead baker Lori Kettelle, tastes like “melted down coffee ice cream” -- and is topped with crushed Oreos, for good measure. For a more savory experience, the everything bagel donut is filled with a cream cheese mousse, glazed in a malted barley mixture, and finished off with a classic everything bagel seed mix.

In addition to brioche donuts, PVD also serves old-fashioned cake-like donuts, plenty of coffee options, and milk from Wright’s Dairy Farm. PVDonuts is closed Monday and Tuesday, and can easily sell out of its signature items, so get there early.

Watch the video above to learn more about Providence’s most spectacular donut and why you’ll (maybe) never eat regular pizza again.

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David Saracino/Thrillist

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Tailgating at Baseball Games is Real, and It Can Be Spectacular

Oh, did you think tailgating was reserved for cold weather sports involving guys named “Brady” only? Well you’d be mistaken, because even if you’ve never tailgated at a baseball game before, there are cities where it’s practically as important as the game itself. (Looking at you, Milwaukee.) And if you’ve never tried it in your home city, we’ve got you covered: from how to choose the right day to tailgate to flawlessly executed food. This way, you’re all set for opening day.

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Food & Drink

This Cafe Has French Toast on Steroids

What’s better than French toast? Deep-fried French toast. Double Chin, a Chinatown cafe helmed by the punny Chin sisters, serves an outlandish dessert best described as French toast on steroids. Inspired by Asian honey toast, the restaurant’s “cubed toast” takes bite-size pieces of house-baked brioche, deep-fries them in French toast batter, and coats them in toppings like berries, granola, and chocolate fudge. The most popular version of the dish, Matcha Ma Call It, comes topped with green tea ice cream, red bean, Pocky sticks, mochi, and a matcha milk drizzle.

Native Bostonians, the Chin sisters are no strangers to fried food, having had their fair share of American junk food classics. But at home, the girls were better adjusted to classic Chinese cuisine, hence the brilliant fusion of flavors found at Double Chin. “We wanted to have a restaurant that truly embodied our identities,” Gloria Chin says. “Our menu’s full of traditional Chinese food with tons of modern twists to it.”